Write A Letter
Sending a letter to your member of Congress is a great way to let them know what you think about this issue and also what you would like them to be doing to address it. Below is some sample text you can use as a template for your letter (or you can download it here) and also a few tips to help you with the writing process.
A few points to remember when writing your letter:
Sample text:
Dear _____________________________,
I am writing today to express my concern about the ongoing conflict in Uganda. For more than two decades, all attempts to end the conflict failed, leaving war-affected communities to suffer the devastating consequences of widespread displacement, abduction, and death. Not limited just to northern Uganda, the violence has spread into neighboring areas of southern Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, destabilizing the entire region. But today, a sustainable resolution to Africa’s longest running war is within reach.
Yet, much greater investment, both financial and diplomatic, is needed to ensure that this progress is not reversed and that this historic opportunity for lasting peace is not missed. The negotiation process requires greater external support and leverage, especially from the United States, and significant investment is urgently needed to facilitate the return of communities displaced by the war to their homes of origin.
I therefore hope you will:
Thank you,
A few points to remember when writing your letter:
- Keep it simple: Make sure to clearly articulate what specific action you would like your member of Congress to take. Doing this can help make sure that your letter gets into the right hands and also makes it a lot easier for you to then hold them accountable.
- Keep it short: It is best to keep advocacy letters to under one page.
- Keep it sincere: The more personal your letter is, the better. Your representative wants to know why this issue is important to you and a personal connection to the issue increases the likelihood that he or she will respond.
- Click here to find the address of your Senator or Representative.
Sample text:
Dear _____________________________,
I am writing today to express my concern about the ongoing conflict in Uganda. For more than two decades, all attempts to end the conflict failed, leaving war-affected communities to suffer the devastating consequences of widespread displacement, abduction, and death. Not limited just to northern Uganda, the violence has spread into neighboring areas of southern Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, destabilizing the entire region. But today, a sustainable resolution to Africa’s longest running war is within reach.
Yet, much greater investment, both financial and diplomatic, is needed to ensure that this progress is not reversed and that this historic opportunity for lasting peace is not missed. The negotiation process requires greater external support and leverage, especially from the United States, and significant investment is urgently needed to facilitate the return of communities displaced by the war to their homes of origin.
I therefore hope you will:
- Hold a public hearing to examine the U.S. response to this conflict and its involvement in the historic Juba Peace Talks;
- Direct increased financial and diplomatic resources to support the peace process;
- Support and fund the immediate financial investment needed to help displaced communities in both northern Uganda and southern Sudan return to their homes.
Thank you,